RSS FeedPrimary care to take centre stage on budget night Gold Coast Bulletin News
PRIMARY care will be the focus of new health announcements on budget night, with the government already revealing billions of dollars in additional hospital funding during the past two months.
It's expected there will be millions to expand general practices across the country and a large investment in nurses to staff them.
Health experts suggest there will be more money for electronic health initiatives, but minds and mouths will be neglected, with mental and dental care to miss out.
The government will also reveal a plan to save about $2 billion over four years by reducing the price it pays for drugs listed on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS).
We already know what's in the budget for hospitals.
Kevin Rudd pledged $5.4 billion during the past two months in order to convince the states and territories to sign up to his health and hospitals reform plan.
Nearly 80 per cent of the cash is for hospitals, particularly elective surgery, emergency departments and extra beds.
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